Published Friday 9 October 2020 at 22:30
Blackburn with Darwen Council’s Leader has been awarded one of the highest ranking honours in the country for his distinguished and innovative contribution to local government over the past 28 years.
Councillor Khan has received a CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours. He was previously awarded an OBE in 2007.
Councillor Khan has responded by paying tribute to past and present colleagues at the Council and other organisations and people in the community who have served alongside him.
He said:
I have always done my best to give 100% commitment to serving our communities over the past 28 years. I am extremely grateful to be recognised in this way.
It is a proud moment for me and my family. I did not achieve it on my own. You need to work together with other people and I have had brilliant support.
I’m particularly proud of improvements in housing which have prioritised. We have lead the way on extra care housing for older people.
The health and wellbeing of people, especially the most vulnerable, is really important to me. We have done a lot despite the cuts.
I like to think this is an award for the whole borough and its people, we have a lot of strengths and have a lot to be proud of. We never give up even when faced with extreme challenges.
Denise Park, Chief Executive of Blackburn with Darwen Council, added:
We are all delighted for Mohammed. He is highly respected and really stands out for his strong leadership, hard work and commitment.
He always wants the very best for the residents in the borough, he has high expectations and standards and always makes the most of every opportunity that presents itself.
It well deserved recognition of his long service, personal achievements and extraordinary contribution to local government locally and nationally set against substantial cuts to local authorities over the last 10 years and after a particularly difficult six months responding to the pandemic.
Mohammed is best known for his work in social care supporting the most vulnerable people in Blackburn with Darwen, his strong belief in the power of partnership work, including bringing about much closer working with the NHS, as well as his influential role in community cohesion – acting as a beacon of tolerance and understanding.
He has been instrumental in attracting millions of pounds of funding for important projects such as the Housing Market Renewal Programme and Extra Care Housing schemes.